Cibie Head-Light Install

[DEcosse]

This continues from this thread as the next part of the evolution.

I started a new thread as this applies equally to all the models of S3, whereas the original more about improvement through wiring upgrade of the 97-04 generations.

However in that thread, you can also see the benefit of ximply upgrading to better bulbs, like the Philips Xtreme Power.

I finally realized a long-term wish to install Cibies on my S3.

I debated myself over which configuration to run - the ultimate CSR series come in only high beam or low beam - or alternatively, could go with the H4 replacements.
In the end, I decided to to go with one CSR Low Beam and one H4 - I will configure the wiring such that the H1 filament CSR will be on regardless of the dimmer switch position, while the H4 will be switching High & Low as normal.
I selected the flat-lens H4 to match the CSR in general appearance.
The low-beam CSR also contains a parking light; the flat-lens H4 does not.
You can read all about the CSR technology here, courtesy of Daniel Stern Lighting.

Daniel was extremely accommodating in response to my questions. I then ordered on evening of 9th, which was obviously processed and shipped almost immediately next business day and had the equipment in my hands on the 16th.

For bulbs, I went with a 70/65 Osram Rally for the H4 taking advantage of my relay / upgraded-wiring system, and a *Narva RangePower +50 for the H1.*
*(subsequently switched out for a Philps Xtreme for the H1)*
All were sourced from Daniel Stern Lighting

On to the results.
First off, comment on just the clarity of the glass itself - irrespective of performance these things just LOOK superb!
In the picture as viewed, the CSR is the one on the left (actually the right-side light)



Here is a direct comaprison of the new configuration on low beam, versus the previous - OEM, then stock reflector/lenses, upgraded wiring and Philips Xtreme.
As noted on the images, all are exposed identically.

As a reminder, this is what I started with:



OEM/WiringUpgrade/Philips Xtreme:



Cibies/WiringUpgrade/ 65W Rally/55W Hi Narva:



I don't currently have a comparison image of the new high beam performance - right now, only the H4 (left light) switches to high beam and the H1 turns off. I will add another relay switched by diodes for the CSR, so that it is on for both High & Low switch positions - I will update the comparison pics for High beam at that time (new High Beam config. will with the CSR Low beam plus the H4 Osram 70W High).
It will be interesting to see that comparison - in then net, may lose a little from the fixed H1 low beam pattern, but gain quite a bit from the the 70W/Cibie combination.

One observation - not really practical to take a pic - but looking at the lights, the Narva H1 in the CSR looks yellow next to the H4 65W low beam. I think I will swap this out for a Philips Xtreme and see how the relative comparison is with that configuration.

.

[mnhoulden]

So those Philips Xtreme bulbs will fit my 07 headlamps? I saw them for $42.
Thanks DeCosse

[DaBrew]

That is a BIG improvement!!....even with just the wiring upgrade. Getting back from a late ride in the winter won't be a problem anymore!

[Catenaccio]

...a HUGE improvement! I've always liked the looks and the pattern of Cibies.

[DEcosse]

Originally Posted by mnhoulden

So those Philips Xtreme bulbs will fit my 07 headlamps? I saw them for $42.

http://www.powerbulbs.com/philips-xt...at1=37&cat2=73
Just under $37 for H4's - free shipping & of course no tax!
Exactly 1 week from order to my door.
They also come with free parking lights - but they won't fit the S3 headlights (unless they changed the parking light in the later models - not sure)

Originally Posted by DaBrew

That is a BIG improvement!!....even with just the wiring upgrade. ....

The wiring upgrade & Philips Xtreme Power lights are a HUGE improvement and a fraction of the cost of the Cibies.
There is no denying the added improvement of the Cibies, but honestly, the best bang for the buck is to do the other parts outlined in the other thread per the initial post - for less than 20% of the cost.

[mnhoulden]

Thanks DeCosse!
Cheers,
Mark

[MainDish]

DECosse, I've been sneaking peaks at your lighting/wiring threads in between actual work at my desk. Consequently I'll thank you on the excellent detail and ask you to forgive me if I skimmed over the point on this. Why did you choose to use one low-beam only and one H4 hi-lo light rather than two H4 lights?
I'm positive you have a good reason that I just missed.

As a comment/question, I put IPF lenses and IPF Fatboy Super Low beams in my Wrangler and was very impressed with the improvement (bulbs like these: http://www.quadratec.com/products/97018_2200.htm).
I'm guessing your wiring mod + premium bulbs and lenses will be an even better improvement. Anyways, now that I'm broke and actually need to replace a S3 lense, does anyone think that the "tri-bar" headlights (many available on eBay for ~$30 each) are going to be high enough quality to justify the tremendous savings as compared to the Cibie or Adjure lenses?

Does anyone have any experience using H4 retrofit lenses marketed for classic cars? I'm just considering value, I definitely don't want to downgrade performance but the tri-bar may look cool, it kind of throws a classic cycle element into the mix (it also may look stupid).

[DEcosse]

Originally Posted by MainDish

... Why did you choose to use one low-beam only and one H4 hi-lo light rather than two H4 lights?

Originally Posted by DEcosse

.... I debated myself over which configuration to run - the ultimate CSR series come in only high beam or low beam - or alternatively, could go with the H4 replacements.
In the end, I decided to to go with one CSR Low Beam and one H4 - I will configure the wiring such that the H1 filament CSR will be on regardless of the dimmer switch position, while the H4 will be switching High & Low as normal. ....

The CSR's only come in high or low - not a dual filament H4 application. The reflector design is much better in that lamp.
(It seems that Stern no longer has the CSR on his website - apparently they have been discontinued)

See this exchange from Daniel Stern that I found on this individuals site

At 5:36 PM -0500 3/2/10, Consult Daniel Stern Lighting wrote:

Hello, Daniel,
Concerning the two items 82346 and 82348, I inform you that we no longer make these headlamps, which are obsolete. The production was halted in 2008, and we no longer have the possibility to furnish them (because) the production facility has been dismantled. Sorry to be unable to satisfy your demand.

Best regards,
Myriam VAN SIMAEYS
Key Account Manager Aftermarket

====

So, that is that: no more CSRs. Sad news! I now no longer have any spares for my own car. However, there remains a much-better-than-H4 option for the low beam of the 5.75" round system: the Hella Bi-Focal H1 unit with city light. Beam plot HERE. It's a little difficult to compare to the CSR plot HERE (which was made on different equipment) but the bulb and voltage are the same. The effective beam width is quite comparable; the 1800cd line extends from about 25° left to about 25° right. The hot spot is just slightly less intense with the Bi-Focal, but it is closer to the beam axis, so seeing distance down the road is just about dead-on equal. The Bi-Focal lamp has a metal reflector, so it'll tolerate overwattage bulbs (which the CSR would not).

The Bi-Focal optic was co-developed by BMW and Hella and was original equipment (in a model-dedicated mounting setup) on certain European-spec E30 models and perhaps some others. So I'm not happy the CSRs are gone, but we're not stuck going back to a pathetic H4 unit (compare the Bi-Focal beam plot to a good quality H4 unit of the same 5.75" size HERE.).

High beams are not problematic; there've always been plenty of excellent high beam options in this size format. The Cibie convex unit remains the best (and is readily available); the Cibie flat-face unit is definitely no slouch and readily matches the flat-lens appearance of the Bi-Focal low beam.

I'm about to order in some Bi-Focal low beams out of Germany. They'll be here in about a month.

Best DS

So if I wanted to use CSR at all, had the following options:
1) Both CSR and only have 'low' beam for both lights
2) Both CSR - one high, one low and only one light on per switch position
3) One CSR low and one Dual-Filament H4 (non-CSR)

I decided to go with option 3 and modified the wiring so that the CSR is always on, even in high beam configuration
So in low I have CSR (with H1) plus H4 in low; in 'high' I have CSR plus H4 in high.

Hope that makes sense. Probably would have made more sense if the original link to the CSRs was still up on Stern's site!

[hac]

you'll be able to see where you're going half an hour before you get there